TLDEF Applauds Passage of Transgender Rights Bill in Maryland

March 27 - We praise passage of the Fairness for All Marylanders Act, legislation that bans discrimination based on gender identity in the state of Maryland. The Maryland House of Delegates passed the bill today on an 82-57 vote, and Governor Martin O’Malley is expected to sign it into law.

TLDEF Executive Director Michael Silverman issued this statement in response to the vote:

“Fairness has won the day in Maryland. Transgender people in that state will now have the opportunity to earn a living and provide for their families without fear of being fired for who they are. They’ll also have recourse when facing discrimination in housing, credit and public accommodations. We commend all those who worked tirelessly to make Maryland the 18th state to pass a transgender non-discrimination bill and hope this sends a strong message to Congress that it is well past time to pass the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act.”